"Clinical Significance
HIV-1 RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR, CSF - This test is intended for use in conjunction with clinical presentation and other laboratory markers of disease progress for the clinical management of HIV-1 infected patients. The test can be used to assess patient prognosis by measuring the baseline HIV-1 RNA level or to monitor the effects of antiretroviral therapy by measuring changes in EDTA plasma HIV-1 RNA levels during the course of anti-retroviral treatment.

Preferred Specimen(s)
3 mL frozen CSF

Minimum Volume
1.1 mL

Collection Instructions
Collect at least 3 mL CSF in a sterile screw-capped container. Do not use heparin tube for collection as heparin inhibits PCR. Ship CSF frozen.

Transport Container
Sterile leak-proof container

Transport Temperature
Frozen

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 6 days
Frozen: 42 days

Reject Criteria
Specimen collected using heparin as anticoagulant • Leaking, uncapped or broken containers • Frozen plasma received in PPT in situ

Methodology
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Assay Category
The analytical performance characteristics of this assay have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. The modifications have not been cleared or approved by the FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Reference Range(s)
HIV-1 RNA, QN PCR, CSF    Not Detected    Copies/mL
HIV-1 RNA, QN PCR, CSF    Not Detected    Log copies/mL